Sunflower Striders Running Club

The Topeka Sunflower Striders Running Club is a non-profit organization committed to the overall health and well-being of all who engage in physical activity. The Sunflower Striders Running Club encourages running, walking, or any other form of physical activity with the focus being the mental, physical and social well-being of its members.

We offer weekly get-togethers where runners or walkers can offer or receive motivation to or from others to continue in their pursuit of physical and mental fitness. In recent years, the club has sponsored several annual fun runs including the Labor Your Legs on Labor Day Event and the Thanksgiving Day run around Lake Sherwood, and spring picnics. One of our largest events is hosting the annual Topeka to Auburn Half Marathon each January which provides funding for local charities. The Club has also provided funding for water fountains along the Shunga Trail and Lake Shawnee in addition to contributing to many other community service projects and activities.

If you would like to be a part of the Topeka Sunflower Striders Running Club, you can sign up today at https://squareup.com/market/sunflower-striders-running-club . Annual individual memberships are only $20 and Family memberships are $25. Membership includes a discount at Garry Gribble's Running Sports, discounts on many local race entries, fun runs, and more! Consider signing up today!

Spring Break Running Schedule

Spring has arrived! As you plan this weeks run there are several opportunities to join a group. Note that all levels of walkers and runners are welcome. Please join us as the more the merrier!

Tuesday - This Tuesday (3/12) will be the last Hill run at Kaw Valley State Park on 6th St. Starting next week (3/19) we will begin track workouts at Washburn University. Workouts begin at 6pm.

Thursday - Striders meet at 6pm at Garry Gribbles Running Sports store on Wanamaker. Distance varies from 1-5 miles and you set your own pace.

Saturday - Saturday runs are long runs varying from 8-20 miles. Pace and distance are set by those who show up. There are usually two start times (6am or 7am). Runners meet at the Lazy Toad in Fairlawn Plaza. Note: This Saturday is the St. Patrick Day 5K run in Downtown Topeka.

Sunday - This Sunday (3/17) the Washburn Marathon Training Club will be running around Lake Shawnee starting at 7am in Tinman Circle near the boathouse. They will be trying to complete two loops around the lake (15 miles). It is a supported run and all are welcome. However, Striders always meet at the NW corner of 10th and Fairlawn at 7:30am. Walkers and runners are welcome: 2-6 miles are the usual distances.

Due to Inclement Weather, the annual Topeka To Auburn Half Marathon will be postponed until Saturday, August 31st.

The race is hereby postponed, due to winter weather, until Saturday, August 31st. This is Labor Day Weekend, which is when we typically hold our Labor Your Legs fun run; we will be making Topeka to Auburn part of the Labor Your Legs plan.

We've learned that, due to the inclement weather on Saturday, the school buildings will not be available to us. Law enforcement and medical staff have also advised us against conducting the race, given the projected snowfall and wind chill. That's important not just for runner, but also our volunteers.

Our first priority is safety for our runners, volunteers, and for people traveling to Topeka from out of town. Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Topeka to Auburn Half Marathon Registration Now Open!

The annual Topeka to Auburn Half Marathon will be held on August 31, 2019. Save on registration by signing up early! Register HERE!

Strider Group Runs

Looking for a new route or running buddy? Join us on one of our group runs. The group runs are free and open to the public. Whether you are new to running or a seasoned runner, all are welcome. We hope to see you at our next group run!

Treadmill Buyers Guide

Treadmills have been a trusted training tool used by novice runners all the way to Olympic athletes. However, many runners don't know where to begin when searching for the perfect model to use for their training.

Consumer Affairs recently published a Treadmill Buyers Guide that features 10 different treadmill brands and has hundreds of verified reviews from past customers.

Tuesday Night Track Workouts

Please join us for Track Night every Tuesday night at Washburn University's Yager Stadium. Warmup will begin at 5:45pm with the workout beginning at 6pm. Workouts and parking is free. We hope to see you there.

Searching For Your Next Race? Check Out This New App!

Run America is a new running application available on the Apple iOS and Google Android Markets for phones and tablets. It's free to download and no ads, for now! The app is a race finder and review site with over 300,000+ races and events that are pulled from API's which means they are constantly updating daily. More than 1,000 races are added per night. Once downloaded, you immediately can tap a race and it pulls them up near your current location. Also, you can filter them out based on the parameters provided. You can read reviews from other runners to get an idea of the area, city, hotels, medals, course and difficulty or write your own review. Download the app on Run-America.com.

Run Top City Thursdays

Run Top City with the Striders every Thursday night at 6PM. Runners and walkers of all speeds are welcome and no prior experience is needed. Courses my vary but all will begin from Garry Gribble's Running Sports - Topeka.

Runners will be responsible for own well being. Please dress appropriately for weather including reflective gear for darker runs. We will practice road safety and stay to the left side of the road (no battling cars for the right of way - the car will always win!).

Topeka-to-Auburn Half Marathon Featured on Active.com

Topeka-to-Auburn half marathon is hand-picked and featured on Active.com as a good early-season race in the Midwest!